Botox vs Dysport

Wednesday, February 18th, 2015

Botox may finally have a competitor in the battle against wrinkles.Botox’s European cousin Dysport was recently approved by the FDA, sparking a Botox vs Dysport debate.

The word Botox has become part of our everyday vocabulary. With over 3 million Botox procedures performed last year in the US alone, ever increasing applications of the “wonder drug” and increasing consumer demand and awareness of its inherent safety profile. There is no question that Botox has secured a place in every aesthetic Physician’s medication fridge.

Overall comparing Botox vs Dysport, both are very similar. Both are a type of botulinum type A used to relax the muscles that cause frown lines and other over active muscles of the face, like forehead lines and crows feet.

Botox vs Dysport

1. Dysport and Botox have similar mechanisms of action. Both are neuromuscular blocking, disabling the muscles from contraction and moving.

2. Dysport has less of a protein load than Botox. Clinically this means that Dysport will result in the formation of fewer antibodies against it. Antibodies are what our bodies use to detect and destroy foreign proteins aka antigens (the injected medications). Hence the assumption is that with fewer antibodies being formed the clinical effects of Dysport should last longer than those of Botox, but that has not been the case. Dysport has a smaller molecular structure. Effecting how the physician injects Dysport.

3. Due to Dysport smaller molecular structure it “spreads more” during injection. This is both a good and a bad thing. It is good in that large areas that need injection (forehead, armpits) would require fewer injections due to the spreading. It is bad in that a Physician must be an experienced injector with a good understanding of more complex musculature (around the eyes, between the eyebrows). If the injector is inexperienced the Dysport could spread into unwanted areas causing untoward side effects (blurry vision, droopy eyebrows).

4. Dysport is diluted more than Botox, hence it’s lower price tag, which may cause some confusion for Clinicians not use to determining how many units to inject in each anatomical area with the new product.

5. At this stage no significant “red flags” have been raised about the safety of Dysport.

At The National Laser Institute Med Spa our aesthetic Physician’s always take time in answering your questions to determine what treatment method is best for each individual. All of our Physicians are board certified and the best in the country. Over the past 11 years National Laser Institute Med Spa has a earned a staggering list of accomplishments. Most notably National Laser Institute Med Spa started the first medical aesthetics school approved by the Post Secondary Educational Board. Many health professionals refer to National Laser Institute Med Spa as the “gold standard”. You will be treated in a 10,000 square foot luxury medical spa equipped with the best products in the world.

The National Laser Institute Med Spa also offers the most competitive prices for Botox injections. You can receive Botox injections for only $7.99 a unit, performed by doctors and nurses in training. Only a board certified doctor or nurse can perform injections. The National Laser Institute Med Spa also offers Botox injections from our instructors for $10.99 a unit.

Please call 800.574.8377 or use the drop down menu on the right of the screen to schedule your free consultation today.